One of my favorite quotes of Robert F. Kennedy's said, "Few will have the greatness to bend history, but each of us can work to change a small portion of events, and in the total of all those acts will be written the history of this generation."

Election Days in our country allow us to write our own history, our own generational narrative, by virtue of the solitary act we undertake whenever we step into a voting booth. Our history is so written when we vote because the collective voice of our community, our state and our nation is heard.

Every Election Day should inspire us, and not because of the results - the winners and losers, or the issues that passed or failed - but because of the simple act undertaken by millions of citizens across Arkansas and throughout the country, when they exercise their sacred right, their obligation, to vote. This is our living, breathing democracy at work, and it is a time to feel a connection to the ideals and promise the Founders must have felt more than 200 years ago, when they presented this grand idea to the world - the idea our own people could cast ballots and elect leaders, and in so doing, determine our own course for history.

The right to vote and the peaceful transfer of elected office is a cornerstone of our representative democracy, but it is not to be taken for granted. Generations upon generations before ours have shed blood in defense of this freedom, just as so many civil rights patriots have given their lives for this unfettered right, while marching toward social justice. It is with this solemn reminder of the importance that each of our votes carries, that I want to thank every Arkansan for taking the time to cast their ballot and engage in our political process.

Whether you're on the right, left or in the center of the political spectrum, thank you for making your voice heard and joining this community dialogue - and thank you for doing so in such great numbers. I was excited to drive by early-voting locations and see signs of incredible turnout - lines forming out the doors many days. It appears that by the time it's all said and done, more Arkansans will have cast their ballots during the early-voting period than ever before. This capability increases access to the polls to Arkansans and therefore strengthens our ideal of participatory government.

Election Day also means an end to campaign season, so I want to remind all of those who will be fortunate enough to serve, no matter the political party, that they are the stewards of the public faith in government. We only get one vote, and we cast our ballot based upon what candidates have told us during their campaigns. Therefore, those who seek office have a responsibility to their electors. Promises made, but not kept, weaken the trust we should hold in those we put in public office, and restoring faith in our government should be a guiding principle for all of our elected leaders.

Thanks to all of you in Arkansas who participate in this great exercise of our democracy by voting. Thank you for casting your lot, for letting your voice be heard, and for sending the tiny ripple representing your hopes into the current of our political discourse.